The old barn looked different in daylight. Less ominous, more sad—a forgotten relic of a broken family's past.
Valentina parked Duke's truck at the edge of the property, Axel pulling up behind her on his bike. He stayed back as promised, but close enough to intervene if needed.
A figure stood near the barn entrance, silhouetted against the morning sun. As Valentina approached, the figure stepped into the light.
She stopped dead in her tracks.
"Denny?"
Duke's club brother looked older than his thirty-five years, exhaustion etched into every line of his face. "Hey, Valentine."
"You're my mysterious friend?" Disbelief colored her voice. "You've been feeding me information this whole time?"
"Yeah." Denny shoved his hands in his pockets. "And before you ask why, let me show you something
